Buttered, Baroque, Beauty.

Buttered

At the end of this week when my friends and I gather over happy hour at my house, I'm serving these rich lovelies, with a sparkly white...

Spanish croquettes feature serrano ham + manchego cheese.

Baroque

Please tell me this neo-Baroque is as gorgeous to you as it is to me!...Anna Prohaska is a true revelation in my world.

New Baroque - Anna Prohaska

Beauty

This week I put my final touches on a piece I've been toiling over for a while now.  I wanted her to be both vulnerable, as well as strong.  Beautiful and mysterious.

Art Deco Madame

Hoping you are finding beauty in all you see, hear and do this week!

Instant Date Night: Pakoras + Import Lager

Mr. Hausfrau and I enjoyed some alone time in our own kitchen last Friday night.  He mixed a pre-dinner cocktail while I cooked and we reviewed the week together.

Ever since attending a good friend's 40th at a downtown gastro-lounge a few months ago, I've been craving the pakoras we shared at the table.  Reviewing versions of recipes, I finally found one that seemed simple, yet contained all the integral pakora ingredients.

Pakoras
(source)

Preparation time: approx. 45 minutes

Serves 6-8 people

• 1 cup chickpea flour (Besan)
• 1/2 teaspoon chilli powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup water
• 2 finely chopped green chillies (jalapeno)
• 1 tablespoon coriander, finely chopped
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• oil for frying
• An assortment of vegetables: Onions, cut into rings or sliced, potato cubed

Method:

1. Stir the flour, salt and chilli powder into a bowl.
2. Pour in sufficient water to make a thick batter and beat well until smooth. Leave to stand for at least 20 minutes.
3. Stir the chillies, coriander and baking powder into the batter.
4. Drop in the potatoes/onions to coat with batter.
5. Heat the oil in a deep pan, drop in the battered potatoes/onions and deep-fry until crisp and golden.
6. Remove from the pan with a slotted spoon, drain on kitchen towel and keep warm.
7. Serve hot.

note: I made these with potatoes and onions as the recipe calls for on date night.  Tonight I made the recipe again, this time using chopped fresh spinach + roasted red peppers.  Both were delicious!  I think this is only the beginning of my pakora making madness!

The Docent Diaries

About once a week, I tour groups of children through the gallery at the bottom of the hill, near the lake.

This is a beautiful, a special...a haunted place.  The art gallery is a restored 1909 manor in the heart of our city.

The smartly curated 'posters' show that just ended featured local talent, gone and new, as well as classics from across the pond.

The children who toured the show along with their teachers were guided through an in-house art project which complimented the show, incorporating what they learned about both the focal point of a piece, as well as the purpose and function of it.

It feels good to take time away from my art desk at home to give back to the community in this way.  It is where my aptitude lies.  I am rewarded for the time spent: children, hands-on-hips, proclaiming that they are happy with their creations, that they have learned something!

I encourage anyone who is able and willing and isn't already doing it: donate your time and your talents to your local community...you will be rewarded in ways you cannot imagine!

Garlands, Growth + Goodies

The week is slowly unfolding...lots of making and discovering...

1) The communal flower patch around the corner is looking promising...a welcome discovery after a rainy west-coast winter.

2) I'm cutting my way through beautifully soft felt, making this custom garland for a customer.

3) Luckily our five year old needs very little encouragement to get to school in the morning.  But he does grow tired of the same old recess snack from time to time...I made mini cornmeal raisin muffins to switch things up...I highly recommend them!

Hope you are having a very inspiring first week of April too...

Artist In Profile: Fritz Koch-Gotha

As in previous years, I'm crafting a homemade 'zine to tuck into my childrens' Easter nests this Sunday!

This year, they will feature mini-prints of these richly coloured and very funny illustrations by Fritz Koch-Gotha.  I have carefully scanned and touched up the colours to share the illustrations with you here.

I hope you love them as much as I do!

"Easter Egg Painting Class"...the girl rabbit in the centre
having a meltdown because she's broken her egg is so funny!

"Off to School"...the brother bunny blowing his nose on a
cabbage leaf ...KG's imagination is vivid...

"In the Classroom"

"Class in Prayer"

"Musical Interlude"

"A Family Dinner".  Father Rabbit seems to be an
Army General...HA!

Which of these is your favorite?

I can't quite decide...

I'm a Finalist!

A few weeks ago I posted my fashionable foremothers...turns out one of my photos became a finalist in a contest!

If you are at all inclined, I would really appreciate your vote!  As I do not have a real presence on facebook, am not sure that I stand much of a chance but am hopeful still!  Voting happens until March 21.

Make sure to "like" both my photo and the store in order to have your entry be eligible!

One of the finalists!

Thanks friends...and have a wonderful weekend!

Hidden Gems

Living in a small town is funny.

Cons:  The whole world knows when you get back from vacation because your exhausted screaming kids announce your arrival getting out of the car at 10pm.

Pros:  Turns out the neighbor down the road is a talented vegan chef...and she's been kind enough to have you come look over her shoulder while she preps her family's dinner!

I was infected with Penny's love for the details - watching her chop all the aromatics and roots, sort carefully through the legumes.  I drew out of her tips on menu planning (buy seven proteins, then shop for fresh vegetables twice a week, if you're wondering), made off with some new (to me) cookbooks to borrow, and tasted the most amazing dhal, which she'd made right before my very eyes!

Don't you love it when it turns out someone you know has an amazing, unexpected talent!?